Media Ecosystems

Worldwide, actors in the international co-operation sector seek to better understand media landscapes in order to provide local, efficient and sustainable aid.

Fondation Hirondelle has been monitoring changing media landscapes for 30 years.

©Apsatou Bagaya Fondation Hirondelle - Une journaliste du Studio Kalangou en reportage dans la rue pour scripter le quotidien des nigériennes face à la cherté de la vie, Niamey, Niger, le 27 Février 2023 — ©Apsatou Bagaya Fondation Hirondelle – Une journaliste du Studio Kalangou en reportage dans la rue pour scripter le quotidien des nigériennes face à la cherté de la vie, Niamey, Niger, le 27 Février 2023

Fondation Hirondelle collects and analyses data on media and the media sector, with emphasis on the production and broadcasting of news. Maintaining the ability to produce and broadcast fact-based, impartial, independent and reliable news is a daily challenge for numerous media outlets in many countries, especially those in the most fragile regions. At the same time, in areas affected by multiple crises, we note a significant increase in the number of non-media actors producing and broadcasting content. This news, often distorted or not fact-checked, gives rise to mis- and disinformation.

There are additional factors inherent to the media sector which must be taken into account. One of the major issues is that of media ownership and governance: who owns the media? Can editors preserve their independence in relation to those who fund their operations? This issue is linked to the challenge of funding. The media’s business model is in crisis. How do media finance their operations: with subscriptions and advertising, or through a hybrid model including support and grants? Digitalisation is also a key area. The development of new multi-channel formats and their impact on how information is produced and how audiences consume it have consequences for journalists’ work. Lastly, regarding security, we work in fragile situations where the security of people, goods and journalistic sources is at risk.

Journalism Trust Initiative

To counter the rapid spread of mis- and disinformation and the worrying decrease of public trust in traditional media, more than 150 media organisations followed the lead of Reporters Without Borders in adopting the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) in late 2019. This mechanism provides a normative framework and certifies media that practise professional and ethical journalism. Active in fragile situations, Fondation Hirondelle fully adheres to the values of transparency and professional editorial processes espoused by the JTI and naturally took an active role in this initiative from the outset, including in the development of the JTI standard. Studio Kalangou, Fondation Hirondelle’s Niger media outlet, achieved JTI certification in 2022.

Team Europe Democracy Network (TEDN)

Fondation Hirondelle is a member of the working group of the Team Europe Democracy Network (TEDN), one of the platforms for dialogue with the European Union, its Member States, and other stakeholders — including NGOs active in the media development sector — working to support democracy worldwide. Fondation Hirondelle contributes to discussions during the annual meetings and takes part in the working group by sharing its lessons learned and recommendations.

Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN)

Fondation Hirondelle is also a member of the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN), a network of human rights NGOs. It regularly contributes to the working group on human rights funding, particularly in the context of negotiations on the European Union’s long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).